Composite matrix for slug casting machines



March 27, 1934.

J. W. QUADT COMPOSITE MATRIX FOR SLUG CASTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 15, 1932 llllllL LLI 4 4 INVENTOR ygiw 1- BY M A TTO NEYJ Patented Mar. 27, 1934 ?ATENT OFFICE COMPOSITE MATRIX FOR SLUG CASTING MACHINES John W. Quadt, Hollis, N. Y., assignor to Mergen thaler Linotype Company, a. corporation of New York Application September 13, 1932, Serial- No. 632,898

22 Claims.

This invention relates to slug casting machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States to O. Mergenthaler, No. 436,532,

wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print, and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a slotted mold, the mold filled with molten 13 metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started.

More particularly, the invention is directed to a novel form of composite matrix, which, among other uses in said machines, may be employed to introduce into a composed line of ordinary matrices, special matrix characters diifering in size or arrangement or both from the other matrix characters of the line and adapted to be read in connection therewith.

The invention finds particular utility in connection with the casting of slugs bearing very r large printing characters, where for instance in an advertising or display line of large characters, it is desired to include matter to be read with said line, and which it may be necessaryto change from day to day; and Where the limits imposed on the length of the mold by reason of the employment of the large characters, will prevent the production of such special matter by the use of ordinary matrices, particularly ordinary matrices of the size of those composing the line.

The present invention therefore comprehends a matrix body of improved form and construction which, in the preferred form of the invention, is adapted to be assembled or placed in a composed line of matrices, and which is of a form to be supported with said line in operative relation to the casting mold, the said body being constructed so as to support a series of matrix sections which may be readily inserted and removed or interchanged according to the nature of the work being performed.

In the specification to follow the invention will be described in detail, and the novel features thereof will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a composed line of linotype matrices having assembled therein a composite matrix embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the improved matrix removed from the line;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the improved matrix;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the parts, in separated condition, of the body of the improved matrix; and

Fig. 5 is aperspective view of matrix sections and associated parts of the improved matrix.

Referring to the drawing:

In Fig. l, the improved composite matrix 1 is shown as assembled in a matrix line composed of ordinary linotype matrices 2, bearing intaglio characters 3 of relatively large size, employed in this instance for the production of printing slugs for advertising matter, it being noted that the intaglio characters 4 borne by the improved matrix 1, are of much smaller size, andwill in the slug cast from said line, produce matter readable in connection with the matter represented by the larger characters.

The form and construction of the improved matrix is such that its characters 4 may be readily changed according to the requirements and nature of the work being performed, and for this purpose the matrix 1 in the present instance is of the particular detailed form and construction as best shown in Figs. 2 to 5.

In these figures, it will be seen that the matrix 1 comprises essentially a body consisting of a main portion 6 and a plate portion '7 applied thereto, a series of matrix sections 4 bearing the intaglio matrices 4 before alluded to as well as plain or blank matrix sections 4 used for spacing or filling out.

To accommodate the matrix sections, the main portion of the matrix body has formed in one side thereof, a deep open slot or recess 8 which extends through said portion from front to rear, the open side of the recess being closed by the plate 7. This closure plate 7 fits flatly against the side of the main portion 6 and is fastened firmly thereto by means of a fastening screw 9 passing through a hole 10 in the plate at its lower end and screwed into the side of the main portion, the plate being held against shifting or displacement, and properly centered on the main portion; by means of two pins 11 projecting laterally from the side of the body portion near its upper end and seated in holes 12 in the upper end of the plate.

With the closure plate thus seated and secured to the recessed main portion of the matrix as shown, a matrix receiving chamber 13'is formed in the body of the martix, which chamber is open and the inner face of the closure plate.

The matrix sections which seat in the chamber 13 just described are of elongated form, rectangular in cross section, and of a length to ex-- tend from the front to the rear of the matrix body, and these matrix sections are in the present instance shown as being assembled in said chamber in two rows 14 and 15, one above the other. The lower row 14 rests upon a follower plate 16 seated in the base of the chamber 13, and the upper row 15 rests directly upon the lower row; and between the upper row 15 and the top wall of the chamber 13 a filler or spacer plate 17 is inserted.

As will be noted in Fig. 1, the cross-sectional area of the matrix sections'a corresponds substantially to the size of the intaglio characters 4 thereon, so that the matrix sections (of which there may be a whole font or alphabet) may be freely interchanged in position with each other, whether in the lower row It or the upper row 15. It will be understood that the particular size of the matrix characters and consequently the size of the matrix sections themselves will vary as between different fonts or alphabets, this difference in size being taken care of by the filler plate 1'7 and the follower plate 16, both of which when necessary may be replaced by other plates of a thickness suited to the particular font of matrix sections in use. Of course the matrix sections of all fonts could be made of a uniform size so as to permit the use of the same plates 16 and 17,

but in that case the cross-sectional area of the matrix sections could not correspond to the size of the characters except as to those of the largest size.

The matrix sections are properly alined and held in the chamber 13 by forcing the follower plate 16 upwardly, which is accomplished in the present instance by means of a vertical screw 18 threaded through the base of the main portion 6 and engaging at its upper end the underside of the follower plate. By turning this screw up, the two rows of matrix sections are clamped in firm and fixed position in the matrix chamber, their location in the main body 6 being determined by the filler or spacer plate 17.

When the parts are thus locked together in assembled relation, the improved matrix functions as if it were solid or in one piece, it being noted that the matrix sections l and 4 the filler plate 17 and the follower plate 16 completely fill the chamber 13 in the casting region, and are flush with both the front and rear faces of the matrix body, so that no metal can enter between the different sections at the front casting face of the matrix and so that the rear elevator jaw may engage and apply equal pressure to all of said sections at the rear face of the matrix during casting. It hardly needs to be stated that the follower plate 16 should always be positioned so as not to stand above the bottom wall of the slug casting mold, otherwise the molten metal would flow into the space below the follower plate.

In assembling the matrix, it may be more convenient at times to remove the closure plate 7 and insert the matrix sections into the chamber 13 from the side, using the main portion 6 much like a hand stick. Then after filling the chamber 13, the plate '7 may be re-applied to confine the matrix sections therein. In many cases, he vever, the matrix sections may be inserted or removed through the open end of the chamber 13 merely by relieving the clamping pressure of the follower plate 16 and perhaps at the same time loosening the clamping screw for the closure plate 7. Obviously, the compositor will select the mode of assemblage most convenient to him.

Both the main portion 6 of the matrix body, and the closure plate '7, are provided at their upper and lower ends with the usual laterally projecting shoulders 19 characteristic of the usual linotype matrices, whereby the improved matrix in its assembled relation in the composed line is adapted to be supported in the usual manner in casting relation to the slotted mold.

The extension of the matrix receiving chamber 13 entirely through the matrix body from front to rear, as described, lends itself to the employment of matrix sections of the elongated form shown, which may be constructed with very little expense and trouble by cutting them from the ordinary form of linotype matrices, thereby avoiding the laborious and expensive operation of especially constructed logotype matrices.

The improved matrix may or may not be circulated through the machine with the other matrices, according to its size. When of a size greater than that adaptable for circulation through the machine, the improved matrix would be i serted by hand in the matrix line under composition and later removed by hand.

While in the drawing and in the foregoing description, the improved matrix is shown and described as carrying two rows of formative matrices, arranged one above the other, it will be understood that this arrangement of the formative matrices may be varied and a single row employed; or three or more rows, according to the conditions and size of type characters used; and instead of matrices bearing letter characters, numeral characters may be used, where the work being performed requires the same; and signs or symbols may also be employed where required.

The matrix sections, when mounted and held in the matrix chamber of the improved matrix in the manner set forth, permit of easy and convenient change of the intaglio characters, and therefore adapt the improved device for various arrangements and combinations of matter to be read in connection with the matrix line in association with which the improved matrix is employed.

While the improved matrix, consisting of the holding body and removable matrix sections held therein, is especially adapted as herein described and shown for assemblage in a line of ordinary linotype matrices, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that the holder could be increased in length to carry whole lines of special matrix sections to extend throughout the length of the mold, and thus serve as a quad block. .And

it will be manifest that various other changes in the construction and use of the device could be made without departing from the limits of the invention.

While in the foregoing description and accompanying drawing the invention has been described in the particular detailed form and arrangement of parts which in practice has been found to answer to a satisfactory degree the ends to be attained, it will be understood that these details may be variously changed and modified by the skilled mechanic without departing from the limits of the invention; and further, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular form or construction of the parts, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A matrix holder comprising a body formed to be supported in operative relation to the mold of a slug casting machine, said body provided with a chamber open at its front and rear and closed at its four sides and adapted for the reception of removable matrix sections.

2. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body portion formed to be supported in operative relation to the mold of a slug casting machine, said body provided with a chamber extending therethrough and closed at its four sides, and a series of matrix sections removably confined in said chamber.

3. A matrix holder consisting of a body having a recess extending therethrough from front to rear and open at one side, and a closure plate applied to said body over said open side of the recess, thereby forming a chamber adapted for the reception of removable matrix sections.

l. A composite matrix comprising, in cornbination, a body having a chamber formed ther in closed on four sides, removable matrix sections seated in said chamber, a follower member in said chamber engaging the matrix sections, and means acting on the follower member to operate the same.

5. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body portion having a chamber formed therein closed on four sides, removable matrix sections seated in said chamber, a follower plate in the chamber engaging said matrix sections, and a screw threaded in said body and engaging the plate for operating it.

6. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body having a iour-sided chamber formed therein, a group of removable matrix actions in said chamber, and means supported by said body for holding said matrix sections removably in the chamber.

7. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body formed to be assembled in a matrix line and to be supported with said line in operative relation to the mold of a slug casting machine, said body provided with a chamber, and two rows of matrix sections removably confined in said chamber and having characters readable in connection with the other characters or" the matrix line.

8. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body provided with a horizontal recess forming a chamber open at its ends and closed at its four sides, a plurality of horizontally disposed matrix sections seated in said chamber in a row, a horizontal follower plate in the base of said chamber and movable vertically to act on the matrix sections, and a Vertical screw threaded through the bottom of the matrix body and engaging said plate for operating it.

9. A combination as set forthin claim 8, characterized by the fact that two rows of matrix sections are arranged one over the other in the matrix chamber, and that the follower plate engages the underside of the lower row.

10. A matrix holder for slug casting machines comprising a body portion formed with a horizontal recess extending therethrough from front to rear and open at one side, and a closure plate applied to the side of said body portion and over the recess, thereby forming a chamber open at its two ends and closed at its four sides for the reception of removable matrix sections,

said body portion and closure plate being provided with laterally projecting shoulders to enable the matrix holder to be supported in a slug casting machine.

11. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body having a chamber therein provided with upper and lower horizontal Walls and vertical side walls, and a group of matrix sections in said chamber, said sections being rectangular in cross section and removable and interchangeable with each other and with other sections to produce difierent character combinations.

12. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body having a chamber therein provided with upper and lower horizontal walls and vertical side Walls, and a group of matrix sections of rectangular cross section assembled in said chamber in two horizontal rows one above the other, said matrix sections being removable and interchangeable with other sections to produce different character combinations.

13. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body having a chamber therein provided with upper and lower horizontal walls and vertical side walls, and a group of removable matrix sections of rectangularcross section assembled in said chamber in two horizontal rows one above the other, the sections of one row being interchangeable with those of the other row and with other matrix sections to produce different character combinations.

1s. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body having a horizontal chamber therein provided with upper and lower horizontal walls and vertical side walls, and a group of horizontal matrix sections in said chamber, said sections being rectangular in cross section and provided with characters whose areas correspond substantially with the cross sectional areas of the respective sections, and said sections being removable and interchangeable with other sections to produce different character combinations.

15. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body having a chamber therein with upper and lower walls and vertical side walls, and a group of removable matrix sections, each rectangular in cross section, assembled in said chamber in the form of a horizontal composite matrix insert whose external contour corresponds substantially with the rectangular contour of the chamber.

16. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body equipped with a plurality of rows each comprising a series of individual matrix sections, said matrix sections being removable and interchangeable with other sections to produce different character combinations.

17. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body equipped with a plurality of rows each comprising a series of individual matrix sections, the sections of one row being interchangeable with those of the other and with other matrix sections to produce difierent character combinations.

18. A composite matrix comprising, in combination, a body portion provided with a chamber extending therethrough from front to rear and closed at its four sides, and a series of matrix sections removably confined in said chamber and arranged flush with the front and rear faces of the body portion.

19. A composite matrix according to claim 1, including as a further element a filler member being removable and interchangeable with members of different thickness.

22. A composite matrix according to claim 4, including as a further element a filler member also disposed in the matrix receiving chamber and disposed between the matrix sections and one Wall of said chamber, and characterized by the fact that the follower member and the filler member are removable and interchangeable with corresponding members of diiferent thickness.

JOHN W. QUADT. 

